Killer Homework

Nine people with no immediate connection are systematically stalked, stun-gunned, kidnapped, and handcuffed to poles in a windowless room in some warehouse no doubt covered in lead paint and icky bugs. Sounds like one of my typical weekends.A masked person explains to his captive audience that they have 10 minutes to figure out why they’re here. If they can’t answer the question, he shoots one of ’em into deadness until they finish their homework.

Taking its obvious lead from Saw (2004) and a few dozen others, Nine Dead’s (2010) conclusion is wordy and weighted down by its complexity. Kinda like a nine-course meal with gun powder for dessert.

The ending is somewhat predictable, but it’s the last few seconds that’ll have you calling up your next door neighbor, the one who lives in a windowless warehouse, and going, “What the hell?”